Christian stared at him intently, with a huge lump in his throat that was almost choking him, with a sharp pain in his heart knowing that his lovely wife had been violated in the hospital. That was the only explanation that existed now for the state Isabella was in. For this reason, he decided not to tell either of them anything and told them that the whole family had decided to move to the estate for a while, so they could stay in Marta's old room.
They left and he remained in the office with the lights off, feeling his world fading away as he felt guilty for everything that had happened to Isabella in her life. At that moment, he didn't know if it was the best or the worst thing that had happened to her, because he had first gotten her pregnant and left her alone all that time because of his amnesia. And now that he had recovered his memory, he found that because he hadn't been constantly looking after her, someone had abused his lovely wife."How come such terrible thinShe had remained a single mother until they returned to the city, which was when they met again. Four years had passed, and he remembered it well, as he had been in constant contact with her via messages, yet she never told him. Neither Isabella nor her parents ever revealed the truth to him. What kind of father was he that no one trusted him to care for his daughter? And now this, when he had personally arranged for his daughter's security guards. He exhaled deeply before asking again:"Are you saying my daughter is pregnant?""Yes, the tests and ultrasounds don't lie.""And does my son-in-law Christian know about this? What did he say?""He asked us to investigate everything confidentially and not to tell anyone. He said that if she had indeed been assaulted and hadn't been with a man during the time they were separated before the accident, he would raise the child as his own."Santiago stared intently at the doctor, feeling a surge of gratitude towards hi
Christian remained silent for a moment while his father-in-law watched him, waiting for an answer to his question."The first memory that comes to mind," Christian began, "was a night when I was hosting a party with my friends on the yacht. I had invited Adele, who declined, claiming she needed to study. Until that moment, she had convinced me she was pure and virginal. I hadn't laid a hand on her, yet I found her making love to a bloke in the cabin. I left in a frenzy and, without knowing how, ended up in this city. I always stayed at the same hotel when I visited. I was drinking at the bar like a madman, hating every woman in the world, when I saw Bella appear, dressed in a beautiful, provocative red dress.""Bella? My Bella?" Santiago interjected, incredulous."Yes, sir. Isabella had dressed very sexily and was drinking alone at the bar. You can imagine that all the fury I felt towards Adele, I directed at her for having given herself to a man like Luis Ibá&
Santiago looked at Christian with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, waiting for an explanation."Because in trying to deceive my parents, I deceived myself," Christian answered honestly."What do you mean?" Santiago continued to question him, unable to believe what he was hearing."The paternity tests I had done were with hair from my sister and me. She helped me to avoid marrying Adele, and we managed to fool my parents," Christian explained, smiling as he realised he only needed to do tests with Lucas and Lucia."This is unheard of, absolutely unheard of!" Santiago exclaimed, and then immediately asked, "Are you telling me that all this time you've believed your children weren't yours, and Isabella still thinks that?""Not just her, her parents too," Christian revealed, causing his father-in-law to look at him uncomprehendingly."My parents? What do you mean?" Santiago asked, though he suspected the answer."Grandfather came up with the idea
The employee hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing with his report. He knew that every detail could be crucial in his boss's schemes."After he and his sister returned from studying abroad, Christian devoted himself to travelling between his city and the one where they now live, always pursuing his current wife. He would stay at the same hotel, Le Méridien, have one or two drinks, and then disappear. He was always accompanied by his bodyguards.""Blast it! There must be something we can use to trick him," Néstor exclaimed. "Call Eva; she's bound to know some weakness in that family. As for Susan, no one has paid much attention to that, since she herself went on television saying those rumours were false, that she was never kidnapped by the Thompsons and the Sardinos, and that she would soon marry Santiago. She looked happy with her grandchildren."While they were discussing in the office, Eva, in her room with Oswaldo, couldn
Eva glared at him with murderous intent, but Oswaldo had long since stopped minding what he said to her. He continued, unfazed by Eva's furious gaze."That drug you were giving him was truly potent. Your plan worked out well, but you failed to make the most of it. You devoted yourself to living the high life—well, to be honest, we both lived the high life on your husband's money—instead of squirrelling away funds in an account for when he'd leave you penniless, as he has now. Because I'm certain you knew your relationship with him had an expiration date."Eva remained silent for a moment after Oswaldo finished. Then she took the bottle, poured herself a glass, and topped up Oswaldo's. They both sat down again, with Oswaldo watching her contentedly."You know what? I'll give you that," Eva agreed, to Oswaldo's surprise as he peered at her through the smoke of his cigar. "Though I must confess, I thought I had a few more years before he'd wake up. When
Eva leant forward and took the floor, proceeding to explain that Mrs Thompson was the sole heiress of a very powerful family involved in the alcoholic beverage industry. After marrying Thompson and inheriting everything, all the factories and businesses of that family ceased to exist. Some were dismantled or repurposed, and most were sold off."Many rumours suggested that Mr Thompson forced his wife to sell her entire inheritance to advance his own company," Eva continued, "but no one knows for certain what happened to the enormous sum of money she possessed and the proceeds from the sale of all her assets. You might find something there."Néstor remained pensive until he finally decided to investigate the matter. He also agreed that Eva and Oswaldo should leave for another country, as his father was already protesting about keeping them there."Very well," Néstor said, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll look into this. As for you two, make arrangements t
Santiago stood for a moment looking at his security guard in whom he trusted more than himself in the care of his daughter. That was why he measured the way he spoke to Humberto, because he knew he had done an excellent job."Humberto, ever since Eva appeared with my daughter, I entrusted you with her care. I asked you to look after her as if she were your own," Santiago began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Before you even consider deceiving me or lying about what I'm about to ask, I warn you that I know my daughter's entire story. That's why I need you to be honest and tell me the truth. I know you're loyal to her and her alone, and I'm grateful for that. But something has happened to Isabella, and I need you to be truthful with me.""What's happened to young Isabella?" Humberto asked, concern evident in his voice."First, you'll answer my questions before I answer yours," Santiago interjected. "Did you know that Luis had beaten her?""Yes," Humb
At this moment, Santiago didn't know what to think. He trusted Humberto implicitly and knew that what he was saying was true. Humberto had lost his daughter to enemies and had since lived solely for Isabella. But how had Isabella become pregnant if she hadn't been assaulted?"Were you, by any chance, in the operating theatre or the recovery room?" Santiago asked hopefully."No," Humberto answered thoughtfully.Santiago sighed, feeling a great pain in his chest. "Do you think it could have happened there?""That would be the only place where they could have done it to her, but she was in a terrible state at that time. I don't think they would have been capable of doing it with so many people around," Humberto said, visibly affected. "But I'll find out, I assure you, sir. If anyone touched young Isabella, I'll kill them, no matter who they are.""Are you certain no one could have done it later in her room?" Santiago repeated the question.Humberto s
Afterwards, she followed Susan abroad. She made her suffer as much as she wanted, taking revenge for Santiago's rejection. She managed to hide her well throughout the pregnancy. She claimed to be a surrogate mother, then staged the whole suicide spectacle, and the rest was easy. The hospital where she had Susan confined, apart from not knowing her real name and origin, was full of heartless people. When she returned, she was carrying Isabella in her arms.She had made her friend believe that the child was stillborn. Susan suffered a nervous breakdown, but she made sure it worsened by swapping her pills for ones that caused hallucinations. Susan was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Eva ensured, by paying a doctor, that she would never be released and would remain ill. She visited annually to pay the doctor and make certain they wouldn't let her out.Old man Sardino never liked her from the first time he saw her. He accepted her after the paternity test proved Isabe
She took another long sip from the wine glass in her hand, emptying it, and refilled it as she reclined, inexplicably recalling her life. Was it because she had managed to acquire her parents' house when they first came to her for help? It was the only thing left of their entire fortune.At fifteen, her parents went bankrupt as the debts she had caused them to incur were too much for mere merchants. They weren't millionaires, but they had a good life. She had everything she wanted, everything! If they didn't buy it willingly, she'd get it herself, pawning or selling anything she could behind their backs. All that mattered was maintaining her status among the high society crowd.Her best friend, silly Susan, as she called her. After Eva put on quite a performance about her parents abandoning her on the street and disappearing with all their wealth. She played the part well, even saying she'd decided to end her life.She knew Susan would immediately take pit
He stood up, fetched her a glass of water, and made sure she drank it all. Then, he sat beside her and embraced her tightly, still without saying a word. Only when he felt her relax did he speak."Isa, you're not to blame for any of this. It was they who did this and killed your parents. As Rodrigo told you, how could you have known they were planning to plant a bomb on your parents' yacht to murder them and take everything?" Santiago tried to make her understand and stop crying and feeling guilty. "It's true that you should have told me from the beginning so I'd know what to expect, but I still understand your situation."Santiago paused, seeing that Marta was crying more, and embraced her affectionately again. Then, wiping away her tears, he told her that regarding taking advantage of Isabella, he didn't believe that was the case. She was the sister that Bella needed to move forward in Paris. Despite being with her grandparents, they were often absent due to Tania's illn
At this moment, Santiago didn't know what to think. He trusted Humberto implicitly and knew that what he was saying was true. Humberto had lost his daughter to enemies and had since lived solely for Isabella. But how had Isabella become pregnant if she hadn't been assaulted?"Were you, by any chance, in the operating theatre or the recovery room?" Santiago asked hopefully."No," Humberto answered thoughtfully.Santiago sighed, feeling a great pain in his chest. "Do you think it could have happened there?""That would be the only place where they could have done it to her, but she was in a terrible state at that time. I don't think they would have been capable of doing it with so many people around," Humberto said, visibly affected. "But I'll find out, I assure you, sir. If anyone touched young Isabella, I'll kill them, no matter who they are.""Are you certain no one could have done it later in her room?" Santiago repeated the question.Humberto s
Santiago stood for a moment looking at his security guard in whom he trusted more than himself in the care of his daughter. That was why he measured the way he spoke to Humberto, because he knew he had done an excellent job."Humberto, ever since Eva appeared with my daughter, I entrusted you with her care. I asked you to look after her as if she were your own," Santiago began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Before you even consider deceiving me or lying about what I'm about to ask, I warn you that I know my daughter's entire story. That's why I need you to be honest and tell me the truth. I know you're loyal to her and her alone, and I'm grateful for that. But something has happened to Isabella, and I need you to be truthful with me.""What's happened to young Isabella?" Humberto asked, concern evident in his voice."First, you'll answer my questions before I answer yours," Santiago interjected. "Did you know that Luis had beaten her?""Yes," Humb
Eva leant forward and took the floor, proceeding to explain that Mrs Thompson was the sole heiress of a very powerful family involved in the alcoholic beverage industry. After marrying Thompson and inheriting everything, all the factories and businesses of that family ceased to exist. Some were dismantled or repurposed, and most were sold off."Many rumours suggested that Mr Thompson forced his wife to sell her entire inheritance to advance his own company," Eva continued, "but no one knows for certain what happened to the enormous sum of money she possessed and the proceeds from the sale of all her assets. You might find something there."Néstor remained pensive until he finally decided to investigate the matter. He also agreed that Eva and Oswaldo should leave for another country, as his father was already protesting about keeping them there."Very well," Néstor said, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll look into this. As for you two, make arrangements t
Eva glared at him with murderous intent, but Oswaldo had long since stopped minding what he said to her. He continued, unfazed by Eva's furious gaze."That drug you were giving him was truly potent. Your plan worked out well, but you failed to make the most of it. You devoted yourself to living the high life—well, to be honest, we both lived the high life on your husband's money—instead of squirrelling away funds in an account for when he'd leave you penniless, as he has now. Because I'm certain you knew your relationship with him had an expiration date."Eva remained silent for a moment after Oswaldo finished. Then she took the bottle, poured herself a glass, and topped up Oswaldo's. They both sat down again, with Oswaldo watching her contentedly."You know what? I'll give you that," Eva agreed, to Oswaldo's surprise as he peered at her through the smoke of his cigar. "Though I must confess, I thought I had a few more years before he'd wake up. When
The employee hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing with his report. He knew that every detail could be crucial in his boss's schemes."After he and his sister returned from studying abroad, Christian devoted himself to travelling between his city and the one where they now live, always pursuing his current wife. He would stay at the same hotel, Le Méridien, have one or two drinks, and then disappear. He was always accompanied by his bodyguards.""Blast it! There must be something we can use to trick him," Néstor exclaimed. "Call Eva; she's bound to know some weakness in that family. As for Susan, no one has paid much attention to that, since she herself went on television saying those rumours were false, that she was never kidnapped by the Thompsons and the Sardinos, and that she would soon marry Santiago. She looked happy with her grandchildren."While they were discussing in the office, Eva, in her room with Oswaldo, couldn
Santiago looked at Christian with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, waiting for an explanation."Because in trying to deceive my parents, I deceived myself," Christian answered honestly."What do you mean?" Santiago continued to question him, unable to believe what he was hearing."The paternity tests I had done were with hair from my sister and me. She helped me to avoid marrying Adele, and we managed to fool my parents," Christian explained, smiling as he realised he only needed to do tests with Lucas and Lucia."This is unheard of, absolutely unheard of!" Santiago exclaimed, and then immediately asked, "Are you telling me that all this time you've believed your children weren't yours, and Isabella still thinks that?""Not just her, her parents too," Christian revealed, causing his father-in-law to look at him uncomprehendingly."My parents? What do you mean?" Santiago asked, though he suspected the answer."Grandfather came up with the idea